Bubble players have chance to impress

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM

Associated Press

Published
4:00 am PST, Wednesday, March 3, 2010

NASHVILLE - APRIL 01: Landon Donovan #10 of the U.S. celebrates an assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore in action against Trinidad and Tobago during a FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying match on April 1, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) less

NASHVILLE - APRIL 01: Landon Donovan #10 of the U.S. celebrates an assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore in action against Trinidad and Tobago during a FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying match on April 1, 2009 ... more

Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

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NASHVILLE - APRIL 01: Landon Donovan #10 of the U.S. celebrates an assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore in action against Trinidad and Tobago during a FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying match on April 1, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) less

NASHVILLE - APRIL 01: Landon Donovan #10 of the U.S. celebrates an assist on a goal by teammate Jozy Altidore in action against Trinidad and Tobago during a FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying match on April 1, 2009 ... more

Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Bubble players have chance to impress

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American players hoping to make an impression on U.S. coach Bob Bradley before he picks his World Cup roster have one last chance.

In its final match before the World Cup team gathers in mid-May, the United States plays an exhibition today at the Netherlands, the world's third-ranked team.

"My last memory playing Netherlands in Amsterdam Arena was not the best," midfielder Landon Donovan said. "I think we chased the ball for probably 90 minutes, so it's hopefully a little different this time. Hopefully, we have a little more of the game. It's really our last chance against a top, top, team before the World Cup and so we want to make the most of it."

The Netherlands is 3-0 against the 14th-ranked Americans, winning 2-0 in Miami in 1998, 2-0 at Foxboro, Mass., in 2002 and 1-0 in Amsterdam in 2004.

Donovan, enjoying a successful loan stint with Everton, is assured of a spot on the final 23. Others, such as Glasgow Rangers midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, might need good matches to earn their trips to South Africa.

"You feel that the World Cup is coming. It's real," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said. "Amsterdam Arena is cool venue to play in. So, it should be a good atmosphere, you know, another good test before we go down to South Africa."

Sixteen of the 20 players on the U.S. roster are based in Europe, with three players from Major League Soccer and one from Mexico.

"It's a good opportunity to play against a real good team, size ourselves up one more time and know that in a few months when we come together again it's with everything right in front of us," Bradley said.

The U.S. is missing six players due to injury, including AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu (Oct. 21 surgery to repair ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee) and Sochaux forward Charlie Davies (recovering from injuries sustained in Oct. 13 car crash).

"It's a good way to gauge where we're at, a good way for Bob to gauge where the team is at and also in the bigger scheme to make some assessments on how guys are going to be and help make choices for the World Cup," Donovan said.

The Dutch and Spain were the only teams in European qualifying with perfect records - the Netherlands was 8-0 and outscored opponents 17-2 in coasting to first place in Group Nine.

Getting ready for its World Cup opener against England on June 12, the U.S. is looking to boost its confidence.

"I think a good performance will go a long way," said goalkeeper Tim Howard.

After this, the Americans gather in mid-May and play exhibitions against the Czech Republic (May 25, possibly in East Hartford, Conn.) and Turkey (May 29 at Philadelphia), with a June 5 exhibition against Australia in Johannesburg also possible. After playing England, the U.S. meets Slovenia on June 18 before finishing the first round five days later against Algeria.

"Obviously we're still missing a few guys through injury, but I think this is a big test for us," Donovan said. "And we're going to take advantage of it."

Staff change: Former Czechoslovakia star Lubos Kubik, who played against the United States at the 1990 World Cup, has been hired as an assistant for the U.S. national team. Kubik replaces Peter Nowak, who resigned in May to coach for Major League Soccer.